Chapter 1870 : A Vow to Purify the Nether Sea

After dividing the treasures, everyone returned to Returning Abyss Grotto-Heaven to begin arduous cultivation, preparing to refine the Path Source and Rare Spiritual Wonders to enhance their strength.

However, Exquisite Jiang lingered. She looked at Eldrin Chen and asked, "Next, are you prepared to settle that old Karma from years past?"

"Mm-hmm."

Eldrin Chen nodded, then spoke, "In the past, I made a great vow, swearing that once my cultivation reached a certain level of achievement, I would sweep clean the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a legendary sea of suffering and torment], guide the lost souls of the Heavenly Path [a profound cultivation method] back to their origins, and purify the world."

"Now that I have slain the Xuanheng Ancient Demon, it is time to guide those lost souls of the Heavenly Path."

Hearing this, Exquisite Jiang nodded thoughtfully, then inquired further, "In over ninety thousand years, the Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent will open. I will accompany you when the time comes."

Eldrin Chen pondered for a moment before replying, "The Immortal Ruins Ancient Continent is far too perilous. Unless you possess the combat prowess of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal, venturing there would be exceedingly dangerous."

"Let us discuss this matter when the time draws near."

Upon hearing his words, Exquisite Jiang fell silent for a time, finally murmuring to herself, "The strength of an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal... is it?"

"..." For more chapters, visit http://www . audio-novel.com for the complete novel.

After bidding farewell to Exquisite Jiang, Eldrin Chen traversed the Boundless Void [the infinite, starless expanse between realms] and arrived within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast and perilous sea of chaotic energies and demonic cultivation].

Returning to the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea after many years, Eldrin Chen found that the Heavenly Path [the natural laws and tribulations of the world] of this realm no longer posed a significant threat to him.

The once-prosperous Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea was now desolate. Its countless Demonic Cultivator [cultivators who use dark, unorthodox methods] had vanished without a trace, seemingly all perished within the boundless Tribulation [a cataclysmic heavenly trial].

Eldrin Chen was not surprised by this. The methods of Demonic Cultivator were always ruthless and unprincipled. That Xuanheng Ancient Demon [an ancient and powerful demonic entity] had schemed here for multiple Kalpa Tribulation [immense cosmic cycles of destruction and rebirth]. Upon awakening, its first act would be to devour the billions of living beings within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea to restore its strength.

"The ways of the Demonic Cultivator are truly cruel," Eldrin Chen murmured.

With those words, Eldrin Chen shot forward, shattering the heavens with his speed.

Not long after, he arrived at the location of the Chaos Abyssal Chasm [a chasm of primordial chaos] within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, seeking the place where the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [an artifact born from the source of the Heavenly Path] resided.

Yet there, Eldrin Chen unexpectedly saw a figure. It was a burly man with hair as white as snow. His cultivation was merely at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [the threshold just below becoming a true Celestial Immortal], but he was a familiar face.

"Prison-Suppressor Child," Eldrin Chen uttered softly, recalling this person's identity.

Eldrin Chen slowly spoke the name, the memory of this individual's identity surfacing in his mind.

This Prison-Suppressor Child was the second most powerful figure within the Prison-Suppressor Grotto-Heaven. After Eldrin Chen ascended to the Immortal Domain, during his first exploration of the ruins, he had once cooperated with this person. Thereafter, for tens of millions of years, the two had not met again.

He had originally thought this person had long since perished. Never did he imagine they would still be alive to this day.

That Prison-Suppressor Child, upon seeing Eldrin Chen, spoke with a complex expression, "I never imagined that a fellow Daoist who was merely at the Ascendant Immortal Realm back then would now become the true Sovereign of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

"I believe I have witnessed a miracle, or perhaps a legend of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain."

Delighted to encounter an old acquaintance from bygone days, Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. With a sweep of his sleeve, he invited Prison-Suppressor Child to sit, then settled opposite them. "I never expected you to have survived," he remarked.

Prison-Suppressor Child offered a slight smile in return before speaking. "The methods of Demonic Cultivator have always been insidious and ruthless. I had long suspected that Xuanheng Ancient Demon had a contingency plan. Naturally, I would not entrust my life and death to his hands."

"Therefore, I secretly infiltrated the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea and thus avoided the calamity of Xuanheng Ancient Demon's blood sacrifice of the demonic horde."

"Later, after Xuanheng Ancient Demon fell, I came here at the first opportunity to await you."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen could not help but smile faintly, his estimation of Prison-Suppressor Child's wisdom rising.

The choice made by Prison-Suppressor Child had indeed been their only path to survival, likely their sole chance to preserve their life.

He had surmised that the Xuanheng Ancient Demon would likely perform a blood sacrifice upon the Nether Abyssal Purgatory Sea [a vast, hellish sea within the Nether Abyss], and thus departed from that place early, evading the demon's ritual slaughter.

Yet, choosing where to flee was a matter of great cunning. With his cultivation at the Half-Step Celestial Immortal [a stage just below that of a true Celestial Immortal] realm, venturing into the Primordial Chaos [the formless, primordial state before creation] was utterly impossible. His only recourse was to seek refuge in the most perilous place for a Demonic Cultivator [a cultivator who draws power from demonic or corrupt sources]—the territory of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a powerful orthodox immortal sect].

After the Xuanheng Ancient Demon fell and the Human Race achieved a decisive victory in the great Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal], the outcome of the war was sealed beyond any doubt.

In the aftermath, the Human Race would surely sweep through the entire Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a major region within the immortal realms]. Countless Immortals would seize this chance to vanquish formidable foes and claim their Path Source [the condensed essence of a cultivator's Dao, a priceless treasure]. As a practitioner of the heretical path, hiding amidst such a purge offered him not a sliver of hope for survival.

Therefore, he chose the opposite course. He came directly to this Chaos Abyssal Chasm [a deep fissure within the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea, bordering the Primordial Chaos], the most crucial location within the Nether Abyssal Purgatory Sea, and waited for the arrival of Eldrin Chen.

In truth, his gamble had paid off. This novel is serialized on http://www . audio-novel.com. Visit for updates.

For an old acquaintance such as this, one with whom he had once fought side by side, Eldrin Chen was willing to grant a path to survival for old times' sake, even if that acquaintance now walked the demonic path.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen regarded Prison-Suppressor Child with a calm gaze. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "The heretical path, the Demonic Path [a school of cultivation that harnesses demonic energies]—in my view, these are merely different manifestations of power."

"So long as you maintain your true heart and refrain from acts that outrage heaven and incite universal hatred, I shall not stand against you."

His words paused briefly before he continued, "In consideration of our past fellowship, is there anything you require? A favor I might grant?"

Prison-Suppressor Child pondered for a moment before speaking, "I have cultivated the Prison-Suppressor Path Principle to completion and wish to train within the Netherworld [the realm of the dead and departed souls]. Might I ask for your assistance?"

"Oh?"

"That can be arranged."

Eldrin Chen nodded with a smile. "As it happens, my disciple is also in the Netherworld Realm [the domain of the underworld], and has some Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect, action and consequence] of his own that requires resolution."

With those words, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve. With a single palm strike, he tore through the boundless void, traversed endless heavens and earth, and crossed the Polarity Two Realms [the fundamental division between the realms of the living and the dead].

"..."

Deep within the boundless Depths of the Netherworld [the profound and ancient heart of the underworld], a majestic and ancient Netherworld immortal city stood.

This was Karma Defilement Nether City, an immensely grand Netherworld Ghost Cities [a metropolis populated by spectral beings]. Its ruler, Karma Defilement Nether King, was one of the Ten Great Nether Kings [the ten most powerful sovereigns of the underworld] within that region of the Netherworld.

Karma Defilement Nether King's power had reached the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of the Celestial Immortal cultivation realm]. He had entrenched himself in the Depths of the Netherworld for several Kalpa Tribulation [cosmic cycles of immense duration, often billions of years] without faltering, making him one of the most formidable existences within the Netherworld of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain.

Yet at this very moment, the entire Karma Defilement Nether City began to tremble violently.

"CRACK—" [a sharp, sudden sound of immense force]

Suddenly, a thunderous roar, akin to the sound of a World-Opening [a realm of power capable of creating worlds] patriarch unleashing his might, echoed throughout the entire expanse of the Netherworld [the underworld realm of spirits and the dead].

Immediately after, the vast Heavenly Vault [the celestial dome or sky of the underworld] above the immense Karma Defilement Nether City [a city in the underworld associated with karmic corruption] was violently torn asunder. A colossal hand, stretching across an unfathomable expanse of billions of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters], pierced through the void and descended.

This gargantuan hand was vaster than an entire expansive Netherworld domain. The moment it appeared, the gravitational forces of the Netherworld were violently inverted.

Countless great rivers flowed backwards, mountain ranges shattered. Boulders, rivers, plants, trees, spectral beings, and Netherworld Soldier [soldiers of the underworld armies] all lost their weight as if gravity had vanished, rising into the sky in a scene that blotted out the heavens. Even the mighty Karma Defilement Nether City, which had long held dominion over the Netherworld, was sent tumbling backwards through the air.

Then, with a deafening, resonant hum that shook the very fabric of reality, the colossal hand reached out and grasped towards the Karma Defilement Nether City.

"Spare us! Have mercy!"

In that instant, countless Ghost Immortal [immortals who are spirits or ghosts] cried out in terror. Even more specters were struck dumb with fear, utterly powerless to resist the unfolding cataclysm.

Upon the Karma Defilement Nether City, the Karma Defilement Nether King, whose might had shaken the Vast Azure Immortal Domain [a vast realm of immortals], erupted with all his power in a desperate struggle. Yet before this titanic palm, he was as insignificant as an ant.

The full force of his desperate strike crashed against the colossal hand, but it failed to even stir the faintest ripple upon its surface.

"Boom—"

In an instant, the colossal palm covered everything, suppressing the Karma Defilement Nether King within its grasp. In the next moment, it plucked a Reincarnation Well from the heart of the ghost city and withdrew it.

Having accomplished this, the giant hand, carrying its overwhelming momentum, withdrew. In the blink of an eye, it vanished back into the rift in the void.

"..."

Elsewhere, Eldrin Chen retracted his hand, the powerful Nether King now held captive in his palm, to the utter astonishment of Prison-Suppressor Child.

"A Nether King,"

Prison-Suppressor Child murmured, his expression one of profound shock.

Though he had long known of Eldrin Chen's immense power, he could never have imagined that Eldrin Chen could, from across the vast expanse of an Immortal Domain, casually pluck such a peerless Nether King from his domain.

One must remember, the Karma Defilement Nether King was an existence at the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage for a Celestial Immortal], his strength nearly on par with any other Celestial Immortal [an immortal who has ascended to the celestial realm]. Yet, in Eldrin's hand, he seemed no more significant than an ant.

At that moment, the Karma Defilement Nether King saw Eldrin Chen. Overwhelmed by terror, he prostrated himself within the confining palm and pleaded, "I pay homage to Your Excellency! This humble one has no grievance with you. For what reason have you seized me?"

"Karma Defilement Nether King [a powerful ruler of the netherworld realms]."

Eldrin Chen spoke softly, his gaze sweeping over the nearby Reincarnation Well [a mystical artifact said to guide souls through the cycle of rebirth]. "Do you know what this is?"

Karma Defilement Nether King was momentarily taken aback, then offered a fawning smile. "This object is the Reincarnation Well, forged by this humble one from the Six Paths Bamboo [a legendary bamboo said to connect the six realms of existence]. If you desire it, Senior, I shall present it to you at once."

"Refined with the Six Paths Bamboo, then it is indeed the correct item."

Eldrin Chen gave a slight nod. A gleam in his eye tore through the void, summoning an ancient bamboo that pierced the sky to arrive before him.

This bamboo was a vibrant, dripping emerald, each leaf shimmering with supreme spiritual light. It was none other than the Innate Serene Bamboo [a primordial spiritual plant of immense purity].

"Master."

Upon seeing Eldrin Chen, the Serene Bamboo manifested the form of a child and bowed in greeting.

Eldrin Chen acknowledged the gesture with another nod, then inquired, "Serene Child, is this object the shed husk of your father?"

"Father!"

Serene Bamboo turned her head, and the moment she saw the Reincarnation Well [a mystical well said to connect to the cycle of rebirth], she choked back a sob and fell to her knees.

Witnessing this scene, Karma Defilement Nether King [a powerful ruler of the underworld] turned a shade paler than a ghost.

"Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Eldrin Chen gazed at Karma Defilement Nether King, his voice calm as he posed the question.

Karma Defilement Nether King stammered, finding no words. Realizing there was not a shred of hope left, he chose to maintain the dignity befitting a Nether King of his stature. A cold sneer twisted his lips as he declared, "In all my years, I have never made an enemy I could not withstand."

"To end up like this today is not a failure of my ability, but merely the cruelty of fate."

As his final words faded, the Faith Golden Body [a divine body forged from the power of belief and worship] and Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and highest essence of a cultivator] of Karma Defilement Nether King began to disintegrate.

Eldrin Chen was momentarily taken aback. This Karma Defilement Nether King, capable of both bending and standing firm, could indeed be considered a figure of talent in his own right.

Now, understanding that no hope of survival remained and unwilling to suffer further humiliation, he had chosen to dissolve his own cultivation, bringing about his own end.

In truth, with Eldrin Chen's current power, he could have easily condemned him to the Eighteen Layers of Hell [the deepest and most torturous realms of the underworld], to suffer the torments of Immeasurable Kalpa Tribulation [an incalculable cycle of cosmic suffering and rebirth] for all eternity, never to be reincarnated.

However, Eldrin Chen did not do so. He merely sighed and said, "Enough. Since you have chosen to end yourself, I shall not pursue the Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect] of this life into the next."

"Go now to Reincarnation [the cycle of rebirth]."

As his words fell, Eldrin Chen flicked his sleeve and cast the soul into the Reincarnation [the cycle of rebirth] to be reborn.

To be reborn with the foundation of the Great Perfection Celestial Immortal Realm [the pinnacle stage of a Celestial Immortal], without having that foundation stripped away, meant the chance of achieving immortality in the next life was almost ninety-nine out of one hundred. The possibility of cultivating back to the Celestial Immortal [a powerful immortal realm] would also be no less than thirty percent. Yet, Eldrin Chen paid this no mind.

Even if Karma Defilement Nether King were to cultivate back to the Celestial Immortal Realm [the realm of Celestial Immortals] in the future and seek revenge, it would be impossible for him to pose even the slightest threat.

After sending off the Nether King, Eldrin Chen handed the Reincarnation Well [a mystical artifact connected to the cycle of rebirth] to Serene Bamboo and said, "The Karma [the cosmic principle of cause and effect] of the past is now settled. You must return and cultivate diligently, so as not to fail the trust your father placed in you."

"Thank you for your guidance and nurturing, my lord."

Clutching the Reincarnation Well, Serene Bamboo choked back a sob, prostrated himself on the ground, and kowtowed nine times to Eldrin Chen before finally departing.

After Serene Bamboo had left, Eldrin Chen then gave the Path Source [the condensed essence and origin of a cultivator's Great Path] of Karma Defilement Nether King to Prison-Suppressor Child. With a smile, he continued, "The Prison-Suppressor Great Path [a supreme cultivation art focused on suppression and imprisonment], one of the Ten Great Netherworld Great Paths [the ten most formidable cultivation arts of the Netherworld]."

"You cultivate this Great Path [a supreme cultivation art]. If you can further refine and absorb this Path Source [the condensed essence and origin of a cultivator's Great Path], you will undoubtedly become one of the Ten Great Nether Kings [the ten supreme rulers of the Netherworld] within the Vast Azure Immortal Domain one day."

Prison-Suppressor Child's heart stirred faintly, yet he quickly shook his head and said, "This treasure is rare and precious. With my current level of cultivation, I am not yet worthy of refining it. You should keep it for the members of the Chen Clan."

"Now that the Chen Clan holds dominion over the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, I believe the Netherworld Realm [the underworld realm of spirits and the dead] should also fall under your governance."

Eldrin Chen shook his head once more, a faint smile gracing his lips. "To your eyes, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain seems boundless and infinite. To rule over it appears the grand ambition of a peerless Immortal Clan [a clan of cultivators who have achieved immortality]."

"Yet, in my view, the Vast Azure Immortal Domain is but a mere corner of the cosmos."

"My ambition in this coming tribulation is to reach the Great Encompassing [the supreme realm of cultivation, encompassing all]. After the Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic cosmic cycle of destruction and renewal], the Chen Immortal Clan will no longer dwell under another's roof."

Upon hearing these words, Prison-Suppressor Child fell into a heavy silence.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen once more, feeling a renewed sense of his own insignificance.

In the mere span of ten million years, the perspective from which these two men, once peers, viewed the world had diverged, creating an unbridgeable chasm.

"Alas."

Wordlessly, Prison-Suppressor Child accepted the treasure, rose to his feet, offered a respectful bow with clasped hands, and departed with an air of quiet melancholy, vanishing into the boundless expanse of the Immortal Domain.

Eldrin Chen watched his departure, a soft sigh escaping his lips, accompanied by a wave of poignant reflection.

On his long journey of cultivation to this day, he had walked alongside countless friends and companions, many of whom could be called bosom friends transcending the barriers of age.

Yet now, after the passage of millions upon millions of years, most of those friends from bygone days had turned to dust. The few who remained alive or had been guided into the cycle of Reincarnation [the cyclical process of death and rebirth of the soul] were also unable to keep pace with his strides.

Even among his closest kin within the Chen Immortal Clan, without Eldrin Chen's unwavering and exhaustive support, it was doubtful they could have drawn near to his current heights.

Eldrin Chen understood all too well that individuals like Prison-Suppressor Child were neither the first nor would they be the last to fall behind.

"The path of cultivation is like climbing a mountain; the higher one ascends, the lonelier and colder it becomes."

With another sigh, Eldrin Chen finally shook his head and withdrew his gaze.

His attention turned to the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a legendary artifact containing the primal essence of the Heavenly Dao] within the cavernous abyss. With a beckoning motion, he drew it into his grasp.

"Hiss… Sizzle…"

The Heavenly Path Source Artifact from the Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea had long been corroded by a sinister Demonic Path [a cultivation method aligned with demonic and destructive forces] technique employed by the Xuanheng Ancient Demon.

Its interior was saturated with the malevolent Demonic Path [a cultivation method that draws power from malevolent and destructive sources] and Fiendish Energy [a corrupted and malevolent form of spiritual energy], along with its fundamental essence, potent enough to corrode the mana and physical form of an Ancient Immortal Great Power [an immortal of immense power who has lived through countless ages].

Should an ordinary Ancient Immortal [an immortal who has lived through countless ages] become tainted by this Heavenly Path Source Artifact [an artifact born from the primal source of the Heavenly Path, now corrupted], they would likely be corrupted into a Demonic Cultivator [a practitioner who cultivates using demonic and malevolent energies] before long.

Yet Eldrin Chen was no ordinary being. He continuously channeled his Indestructibility Dharmic Power [a supreme cultivation art focused on achieving an unbreakable body and spirit] to refine this Heavenly Path Source Artifact, gradually purging the Fiendish Energy within. However, after a short while, a slight frown creased his brow.

"The corruption within this Heavenly Path Source Artifact runs deep. At this rate, it would take hundreds of thousands of years to fully purify it."

With this thought, Eldrin Chen set aside the immediate refinement of the Heavenly Path Source Artifact. Instead, he retrieved three Path Source [the crystallized origin and profound insights of a cultivator's Great Path].

While the treasures he obtained during this Kalpa Tribulation [a cataclysmic event marking the end of a cosmic cycle] were numerous, few were of direct use to him. He had kept only three Rare Spiritual Wonders [extremely precious spiritual objects of immense power]: the Path Source of the Nether Emperor, Dusk Nirvana, and the Primordial Era Azure Dragon [an ancient and mighty dragon from the dawn of time].

Among these three Path Source, the Nether Emperor had also cultivated the 'Profound Darkness True Water' [a divine ability manifesting the power of profound darkness and true water] Great Path [a supreme cultivation art representing one of the fundamental laws of the cosmos]. Its Path Principle [the core law and principle embodied by a Great Path] was nearly one hundred percent compatible with Eldrin Chen's own Profound Darkness True Water. Refining it would allow him to fully assimilate the vast majority of the cultivation insights the Nether Emperor had accumulated over billions of years.

The Primordial Era Azure Dragon had cultivated the Supple Wood Azure Dragon Great Path [the Great Path of the Supple Wood Azure Dragon, embodying vitality and wood-element power], which bore some resemblance to the Great Path of Life [the supreme law governing life and vitality].

As for Dusk Nirvana, the Nirvana Sun Heavenly Flame Great Path [the Great Path of Nirvana Sun Heavenly Flame, embodying rebirth and celestial fire] they cultivated would be of great benefit to one practicing the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a supreme cultivation art focused on the primordial power of the sun and heavenly fire].

"If I can master these three Great Path, refining this Demonic Fiendish Energy [a highly concentrated and malevolent demonic energy] should become significantly easier."

Eldrin Chen gazed at the three Path Source [a condensed essence containing the profound insights and power of a specific Great Path] resting in his palm, a low murmur escaping his lips.

Once the thought took hold, he acted. Since he intended to refine the Path Source, Eldrin Chen wasted no time and immediately began the process of absorption.

Guided by the principle of mutual generation and restraint among the Five Elements [the fundamental forces of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water], where Wood gives birth to Fire, he chose to refine the Primordial Era Azure Dragon Path Source first. Of course, since Water nourishes Wood, refining the Nether Emperor's Path Source first would have been more suitable.

However, the Five Elements Great Path [profound cultivation arts based on the Five Elements] inherently repel one another. With each Great Path [a supreme cultivation art representing a fundamental law of the cosmos] comprehended, the difficulty of comprehending the next increases exponentially.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen saved the Nether Emperor's Path Source—the one most compatible with him and of the highest grade—for last.

Returning to the matter at hand, as he continuously refined the Primordial Era Azure Dragon's Path Source, Eldrin Chen's comprehension of the Verdant Wood Great Path deepened profoundly. This understanding, achieved through grasping interconnected principles, also caused his insights into the Great Path of Life [the supreme Dao governing vitality, growth, and creation] to advance by leaps and bounds.

Thus, time flowed on, years passing in the blink of an eye. After a mere three thousand years, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Is this the power of the Great Path of Life?" he whispered to the stillness.

On that day, a faint smile touched Eldrin Chen's lips as he gradually awakened from his deep meditation.

This time, he had grasped the embryonic form of the Great Path of Life, and his understanding of this profound Dao had grown immeasurably more profound and refined.

With the empowerment of this Great Path [a supreme cultivation art], he could already sense that any injuries inflicted by forces below the level of an Seven Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived seven heavenly tribulations] would be completely healed in the blink of an eye.

Even when facing an Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal [an ancient immortal who has survived eight heavenly tribulations], his regenerative capacity would be several times greater than that of an ordinary Eight Tribulations Ancient Immortal.

"And this is merely the Embryonic Great Path [the nascent, foundational stage of a Great Path art]. How astonishing would it be if it were fully mastered?"

Eldrin Chen murmured inwardly, his heart yearning to continue comprehending the Great Path of Life [the supreme Dao principle governing vitality and creation]. Yet, he quickly suppressed the impulse.

The repulsive force between different Great Path arts was extremely potent. If he were to fully master the Great Path of Life first and then attempt to comprehend the Primordial Chaos Great Path [the supreme Dao principle governing the primordial state before creation], the difficulty would likely increase more than tenfold.

"No need to rush. I shall proceed step by step."

Eldrin Chen whispered to himself, then retrieved the Dusk Nirvana Path Source [a condensed essence containing profound insights into a Great Path] to begin his contemplation.

The second attempt at comprehending a Great Path was noticeably more difficult than the first. Fortunately, Eldrin Chen was bolstered by his True Spirit Primordial Spirit [a divine ability that enhances the spiritual core], granting him comprehension far surpassing that of an ordinary True Spirit Primordial Spirit Realm [the cultivation realm of the true spiritual essence] cultivator.

Refining this Dusk Nirvana Path Source now, he completely assimilated it in a mere thousand years. Using this as his foundation, he spent another four millennia in deep contemplation, finally bringing the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a legendary flame of the primordial sun] to the minor achievement stage.

Thereafter, Eldrin Chen directly began refining the Path Source left by the Nether Emperor [the sovereign ruler of the netherworld].

This was the first time in Eldrin Chen's life that he refined a Path Source [the foundational source of a cultivator's Great Path] that was in perfect harmony with his own. The speed of the refinement process far exceeded his wildest expectations.

In a mere year's time, he had completely refined the Path Source of the Nether Emperor and absorbed the greater part of the profound accumulation that entity had amassed over billions of years.

The efficacy of this process was not merely a hundredfold greater than refining Dusk Nirvana's Path Source; it was an order of magnitude beyond.

With this as his foundation, Eldrin Chen cultivated the embryonic form of the Great Path of Profound Darkness True Water [a supreme divine ability of profound and dark water] in less than a decade. Moreover, he attained a complete comprehension of this divine ability in its entirety.

Indeed, Eldrin Chen had grasped the complete Great Path of Profound Darkness True Water. However, as two other Embryonic Great Paths [nascent foundational cultivation arts] remained uncomprehended, he refrained from fully manifesting this divine ability.

"A Great Path [a supreme cultivation art representing a fundamental cosmic principle] of the same origin, with absolute compatibility... to think it could yield such an effect," Eldrin murmured, a trace of awe coloring his voice.

Eldrin Chen spoke softly to himself, a flicker of profound astonishment crossing his features.

In that moment, he finally understood. Slaying an Immortal who cultivated the same Great Path allowed one to wholly devour the other's lifetime of insights and cultivation, absorbing their very essence.

No wonder those at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [a supreme realm of cultivation] level were compelled to eliminate rivals who walked the same Great Path. This was not merely a matter of Great Path Contention [the inevitable conflict between those sharing a Great Path]; it was a direct and potent means to augment one's own power.

If two beings, both cultivating the same Great Path and both at the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle of the Great Encompassing Golden Immortal realm], were to slay one another, the victor might very well ascend in a single step to the Primordial One Imperial Lord Realm [a legendary realm of supreme authority].

"It seems this Great Path Contention [the inevitable conflict between cultivators who share the same foundational Dao] is even more perilous than I anticipated."

Eldrin Chen murmured softly to himself. As he contemplated the several Great Paths [fundamental cosmic principles or laws] he primarily cultivated, a slight frown creased his brow.

His Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [a supreme flame embodying the essence of the primordial sun] was hailed as the Primordial Solar Great Path, and his Profound Darkness True Water [a supreme water embodying profound darkness] was known as the Great Path of Profound Darkness. Both were among the most coveted and fiercely contested Great Paths within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains [the collective realm of immortal cultivation] and the Chaos [the primordial, formless state before creation].

Throughout the Three Thousand Immortal Domains, the number of Great Encompassing Golden Immortals [supreme immortal beings who have achieved a state of perfect unity with the cosmos] who had attained the Dao through these two Great Paths was at least more than one could count on one hand. There were even figures at the level of Primordial One Imperial Lords [beings who stand at the absolute pinnacle, second only to the Dao itself].

Furthermore, the Myriad Things Earth [the foundational earth that gives rise to all things], the Primordial One Gold [the primordial metal from which all other metals are derived], and the Great Path of Life were all exceptionally powerful Great Paths. Each of these Great Paths was cultivated by more than one or two Great Encompassing Golden Immortals within the Three Thousand Immortal Domains.

If Eldrin Chen were to use these five Great Paths as his foundation to cultivate the Primordial Chaos Great Path and prove his Dao, attaining the realm of Great Encompassing Golden Immortal, he would likely make at least twenty or thirty immensely powerful enemies in the future.

When the time for Great Path Contention arrived, in order to eliminate Eldrin Chen as a rival, some of these Great Encompassing Golden Immortals might very well join forces against him.

For example, the two Great Encompassing Golden Immortals who cultivated the Great Path of Profound Darkness and the Primordial Solar Great Path respectively. While they had no conflict over Great Path Authority [the exclusive dominion over a particular Great Path] between themselves, they would both share a Great Path Contention with Eldrin Chen. This would make them natural allies.

"It seems that after I break through to Great Encompassing [the supreme immortal realm], I will face no small amount of trouble."

Eldrin Chen whispered this final thought, then swiftly suppressed the chain of worries.

"Not necessarily," he mused. "These Great Encompassing Golden Immortal [the pinnacle realm of immortal cultivation, representing supreme power and longevity] have trodden their paths for countless years. They likely have other rivals vying for the same Dao, and may not have the capacity to focus all their efforts against me."

"Moreover, when soldiers arrive, we deploy generals to block them; when floodwaters come, we use earth to dam them. As long as my own strength is sufficiently formidable, I may yet be able to handle these rivals contending for the Dao."

"Enough. There is no need to dwell on it further."

With these thoughts settling in his mind, Eldrin Chen withdrew his focus and turned his gaze to the Heavenly Path Source Artifact [a legendary artifact containing the foundational essence of a Heavenly Dao] before him.

Having recently mastered three distinct Great Path [profound cultivation arts that embody fundamental cosmic principles] and shattered the shackles of his own Great Path Heavenly Pass [a critical bottleneck realm in cultivation], Eldrin Chen's power had grown yet again. Most crucially, he had now successfully cultivated the Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame [the supreme, primordial flame of the sun, a legendary source of immense power].

Whether it was his Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame or his Profound Darkness True Water [the ultimate essence of profound darkness, a supreme divine ability], both were pinnacle-tier, supreme Great Path. In theory, each could lead directly to the Primordial One Realm [the realm of primordial unity, a legendary state of being], and even possessed the potential to reach the level of a Chaos Heavenly Emperor [a sovereign title for one who commands the primordial chaos].

Such Great Path, even when merely forming their initial rudiments, could instantly elevate a cultivator to the Tenth Limit Realm [the tenth and traditionally highest limit of power within a major cultivation stage]. Let alone now, when he had consecutively mastered three of them. It could be said that Eldrin Chen's Great Path foundation was now approaching the level of the legendary Eleventh Limit [a transcendent realm beyond the conventional tenth limit].

With the formidable assistance of such a powerful Primordial Solar Heavenly Flame, combined with Eleventh Limit-grade spiritual energy and the driving force of his Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core and true self of a high-level cultivator], the speed at which Eldrin Chen purified the Demonic Fiendish Energy [a corrupt and malevolent energy born of demonic and fiendish sources] within the artifact increased by a factor of several times, if not more.

He dedicated himself to the task, and in the span of several tens of thousands of years, he had completely refined and expelled all the tainted Demonic Fiendish Energy from within the Heavenly Path Source Artifact.

Thereafter, he spent another ten thousand years of effort, thoroughly cleansing the entire Nether Abyss Purgatory Sea [a vast sea of torment and demonic energy within the nether abyss] of its demonic miasma, transforming it once more into a realm of Pure Spirit Immortal Domain [a domain of pure spiritual energy, suitable for immortal cultivation]. This chapter is provided by http://www . audio-novel.com. Support the original.